Tara Kierstead (she/her)

School Counselor at Hall-Dale Middle School. 2019 Maine School Counselor of the Year. 2018 Maine LGBTQA Youth Educator of the Year. Incorrigible optimist.

[Tara Kierstead (she/her) @MsKiersteadHD]

@GavinGrimmVA Oh poor baby!!! Rascal is lucky to have such a great cat dad! Hugs!!! 😻

[Tara Kierstead (she/her) @MsKiersteadHD]

@ecmmason I spend all year thrifting these and over the years I somehow have lots of cat sweaters 🤷‍♀️🤦‍♀️😹

[Tara Kierstead (she/her) @MsKiersteadHD]

If you’re new here, every year Ms. Kierstead wears a different tacky shirt from Thanksgiving to winter break. The shopping has already begun. Here’s a sneak peek…there may or may not be a specific theme this year, for the first time ever 😹

[Tara Kierstead (she/her) @MsKiersteadHD]

Just your reminder that schools have emergency plans and some staff, let’s just say…me, have specific roles and some other staff have backup roles in case the original person (me again) is shot and dead. But yes, please, come at me for supporting trans kids.

[Tara Kierstead (she/her) @MsKiersteadHD]

@antiwarjosh @ASCAtweets @GavinGrimmVA Thank you! This is getting out of hand :( But…sigh. We march on.

[Tara Kierstead (she/her) @MsKiersteadHD]

Since #asca22 is in Texas this year, Ms. Kierstead has been wearing her support for these kids every single day. @ASCAtweets @GavinGrimmVA

[Tara Kierstead (she/her) @MsKiersteadHD]

@TheGoodNewsPod I got the book for Christmas 😂 #catmom #noshame Also, sort of related, pick up the book “Cats on Catnip” 😂 You won’t regret it.

[Tara Kierstead (she/her) @MsKiersteadHD]

Neil! @TheGoodNewsPod - fellow cat owner and re: the bodega cat episode - check out the book “Shop Cats of NY”!!!! There is also a Bodega Cats instagram account and website :)

[Tara Kierstead (she/her) @MsKiersteadHD]

@cscaadvocacy @ASCAtweets Thank you for the support! ❤️

[Tara Kierstead (she/her) @MsKiersteadHD]

…I myself have been targeted and while I have thick skin, this needs to not be a thing next year. I care about my colleagues and our profession. Also, how did these groups get ahold of our virtual presentations? Sigh. Take care of each other, friends!! /end @ASCAtweets

[Tara Kierstead (she/her) @MsKiersteadHD]

Oh my gosh, thank you to @august_schools for my @lushcosmetics Garden Party box! I never win anything so being drawn from their booth at the @ASCAtweets #ASCA22 conference made my day! ❤️ #selfcare One happy school counselor right here 😁

[Tara Kierstead (she/her) @MsKiersteadHD]

Just me doing my thing ♥️ @ASCAtweets #ASCA22

[Tara Kierstead (she/her) @MsKiersteadHD]

@GavinGrimmVA Yours too!!! 😻

[Tara Kierstead (she/her) @MsKiersteadHD]

@always_oges @ASCAtweets Agreed! And I think ALL of us are great at advocating, but there are MANY of us who are uncomfortable defending, especially against abusive groups. I feel like that could be a whole new training, actually!

[Tara Kierstead (she/her) @MsKiersteadHD]

PS - yes I myself have taken pix of slides to share on Twitter for YEARS. It has always been useful and helpful and encouraged. Until this year. Times have changed, friends. @ASCAtweets

[Tara Kierstead (she/her) @MsKiersteadHD]

@ismyRBFshowing @ASCAtweets I don’t think anyone has ever said not to share but I’m sure it’s coming. :( Although ASCA has always said not to share the handouts but that’s different than sharing a pic from a presentation.

[Tara Kierstead (she/her) @MsKiersteadHD]

@kristinaguy @ASCAtweets Argh. So true.

[Tara Kierstead (she/her) @MsKiersteadHD]

@kristinaguy @ASCAtweets No I know that part but the virtual sessions had to accessed with a conf registration and an additional password. Who gave access to those videos to these groups???

[Tara Kierstead (she/her) @MsKiersteadHD]

I also don’t want this to discourage our brilliant colleagues from applying to present at next year’s conference! Ugh. I am so mad. And sad. I’m smad. (Name that show if you appreciate my use of humor right now so I don’t yell-cry). @ASCAtweets